Malusi Gigaba resignation follows an eerie pattern of EFF predictions

If the EFF say they want you out, you best start clearing your desk. The Malusi Gigaba resignation fell right into one of their "pronouncements".

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 29, 2017: The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema along with EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi, deputy president Floyd Shivambu, national chairman Dali Mpofu, treasurer general Leigh-Ann Mathys and secretary general Godrich Gardee (furthest on the right) cutting the cake for the EFF’s 4th anniversary celebrations on July 29, 2017 in Durban, South Africa. During the celebrations Julius Malema touched controversial subjects such as racism, white monopoly capital and land ownership while speaking to the thousands of supporters attending the celebration. (Photo by Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Jabulani Langa)

There’s a pretty chilling pattern emerging in South African politics at the moment: If the EFF and Julius Malema say you must go, the chances are you’ll be out of a job within a few months.

The resignation of Malusi Gigaba continued a sort of “hot streak” the party are having in 2018. They have called upon several opposition party members to walk away from their roles and kept up the pressure on them until the inevitable happened.

Mahumapelo managed to dodge the proceedings, but the pressure grew to the point where Supra handed in his resignation. Although, he’s now planning a political comeback.

Athol Trollip

Call to leave office: November 2017Date left: 27 August 2018

This was one they pursued with relentless vigour. After forcing through five motions of no confidence – and predicting in November 2017 that they could oust Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Trollip – they got their wish in August 2018, when he was removed from the house.

Nhlanhla Nene

Call to leave office: September 2018:Date left: 8 October 2018

Now we’re onto the big guns. Before his appearance at the state capture commission last month, Nhlanhla Nene was told to resign by the EFF. Sure enough, after he fronted up to meeting the Gupta brothers, the ex-finance minister had no choice but to step down.

Malusi Gigaba

Call to leave office: 20 February and 8 October 2018Date left: 13 November 2018

They’ve wanted Malusi Gigaba to resign since February 2018, but really ramped up the rhetoric after Nene stepped down. After his decision to quit, the party immediately declared that Gigaba “must go next“. A month later, the home affairs minister had gone.

Who’s next?

Bathabile Dlamini was also mentioned in the same breath as Gigaba, as the red berets identified the minister for women as another ANC lackey “who must fall”. The party have also expressed their dissatisfaction with Pravin Gordhan, but are yet to directly call for his head. Give them time, though.

Let’s be honest, there probably isn’t an ANC or DA minister Malema and co want to keep in a job. But the timing of their most recent statements have been impeccable. We wonder if Juju has the Lotto numbers handy?